Dick Cavett Show - The first
on-stage death (from natural causes) occurred on June 8, 1971
during an interview segments of the talk show program THE DICK
CAVETT SHOW after featured guest, nutrition expert J.I. Rodale,
73, informed everyone "I'm so healthy that I expect to live on
and on."

As Dick Cavett welcomed his next guest, Pete Hamill, he
heard a "sound like snoring" coming from Rodale still on stage.
Upon inspection he discovered Rodale dead of an apparent heart
attack. The taped program never aired, however. The following
night Dick Cavett informed his audience of the tragic
occurrence.